Hearing continued in McClendon case

A preliminary hearing held on Monday in the case of Michael McClendon, 29, has been continued until 3:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Homer Courthouse. McClendon was arrested on Jan. 9 for first-degree robbery, third-degree assault, theft of a firearm, first-degree misconduct involving weapons for felon in possession of a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence.

Homer Police said McClendon held up at gunpoint the Grog Shop on Dec. 26, firing a shot into the floor of the store and taking about $1,100 in cash. Police caught McClendon after tracing cell phone records. Police said McClendon made a fake 911 phone call just before the robbery. Police traced records from that cell phone to a Hoquiam, Wash., number associated with McClendon’s family.

McClendon remains in custody at Wildwood Pretrial Facility, Kenai. His attorney, Bill Taylor, asked for the continuation of the hearing and waived court rules regarding a speedy trial and a grand jury indictment for felonies.